Hello! I'm new here, need some Jeep help

[ccoston]

Hey everyone! My name is Craig, I'm new here. Was told about the forum by TGIF Jeep Specialists in Bakersfield. I live in Bakersfield, and bought a 98 ZJ Laredo that had some decent upgrades but has been used and abused. I had to put a remanufactured engine in, and once done it drove really rough (suspension, steering). I have changed all tie rod components, the heim joint on the track bar (Rubicon Express), sway bar bushings (main and end link), control arm bushings, etc. Had it aligned and balanced, and it drives better but still has an annoying side to side sway like the axle has side to side play in it. It's not enough to cause safety concerns, but enough to be moderately annoying and have my wife complain about it.

I was wondering if maybe anyone would be willing to befriend me and allow me along to check out some rides, and to get some opinions of my ZJ. I'm all out of ideas of what to do, and some people just say "oh, it's a Jeep". Is there anyone willing to welcome a newbie into the world of Jeeps? I can trade by teaching someone fly fishing if wanted... THAT I can do.

What it has:
318 v8
Teraflex control arms (I'm assuming the entire lift is Teraflex, but don't know how to tell)
ARB air locker in front Dana30, but no air compressor.

Thanks for any help available.

Craig

(yes, my tires suck... that's what was on it when I bought it)
[img]http://www.flyfishingaddicts.com/images/jeep/clean1.jpg[/img]

[TheBigDogg]

thats one pretty red ZJ, I have a XJ, have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth and look for anything that migt be loose or worn, look at your P/S gearbox too, see if there is any play there, from what i read, your not having a vibration, just movement side to side, you can replace everything, and it will be the very last thing you replace that will fix it....lol I'll be on vacation starting the 31 for 18 days, we can check it out sometime when I am off.

[ccoston]

Thanks... that'll be awesome. I don't really have anyone around here that has any experience with Jeeps to help me. Do I need to have both front tires off the ground for this test?

I plan on getting a new catback exhaust within the next few weeks as well. For some reason the previous owner dropped down to 2" pipe behind the cat and welded in a used Ford muffler. Hopefully I'll get a bit better performance and fuel economy with a proper setup.

[casaintsfan]

[quote="ccoston"]Thanks... that'll be awesome. I don't really have anyone around here that has any experience with Jeeps to help me. Do I need to have both front tires off the ground for this test?

I plan on getting a new catback exhaust within the next few weeks as well. For some reason the previous owner dropped down to 2" pipe behind the cat and welded in a used Ford muffler. Hopefully I'll get a bit better performance and fuel economy with a proper setup.[/quote]

From my past experience with front end problems that muffler won't help at all.

Lol

Welcome to infectious off road


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[Mickey]

That is a nice red... I was looking at one on craigslist.

As for your problem, do like harry said. Leave the tires on though and on the ground. It will allow you to see the movement better. If you need some assitance am more than willing to take a look at it with you. two sets of eyes are better than one. Am usually free all day since I work nights. So just let me know...

[ccoston]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I would LOVE some help if you are willing. I have been swamped with a work deadline but hopefully in the next week or two I can get some time to work on the Jeep.

A couple questions: First, I was pulling out of my community (City in the Hills) and saw that the lifted white Wrangler beside me had an Infectious Offroad sticker, was wondering if there is a fellow member living in my community too. It is a nice looking Jeep with General tires with the red lettering facing out. Didn't get a chance to say hi because the light turned green. Anyone know who that is?

Second, I will have the money for the muffler this week, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to local shops that do a good job and are cost effective. I understand taht the muffler has no bearing on the steering/suspension It's just an additional issue I'd like to take care of.

[t_long927]

[quote="ccoston"]Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I would LOVE some help if you are willing. I have been swamped with a work deadline but hopefully in the next week or two I can get some time to work on the Jeep.

A couple questions: First, I was pulling out of my community (City in the Hills) and saw that the lifted white Wrangler beside me had an Infectious Offroad sticker, was wondering if there is a fellow member living in my community too. It is a nice looking Jeep with General tires with the red lettering facing out. Didn't get a chance to say hi because the light turned green. Anyone know who that is?

Second, I will have the money for the muffler this week, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to local shops that do a good job and are cost effective. I understand taht the muffler has no bearing on the steering/suspension It's just an additional issue I'd like to take care of.[/quote]

If it is a 4 door, has a million lights on the top, and a roof rack big enough to fit a queen size bed then that is Victor... If you ever get stuck in the mud he is always willing to help a fellow IOR member out. P.S. You can give me a call if you need help. I am usually off work around 2pm. I also have a ZJ. Mine is a 93 laredo. We can put two and two together and figure out the problem. Call me, my google voice number is 661-412-3374.

Oh also My buddy owns the Midas Shops here in town. Last time they charged me 50 bucks to install a straight pipe from the manifold all the way out th back. Including all of the bends.

[ccoston]

I ended up doing the muffler today... took it to Steve's Muffler which is over along the circle on Chester. Recommended by TGIF Automotive, so I took it there. He seemed to do a good job (though I am not a good judge of that) and got me out the door in about 45 minutes. The muffler sounds good and I don't have crappy 2" pipe and a Ford muffler on it anymore, so I'm happy. Next up is tackling the steering/suspension issue, and I will need some help. If you guys are willing, can you PM me so I can contact you and arrange for meeting up? I appreciate any help I can get.

One last thing: Is there any standard meeting place/time for the club? I would like to be part of it.

Craig

[TheBigDogg]

we have a Meet & Greet on the second Thursday of each month, thats about it. What is your schedule like? when are you wanting to check out your steering? I am off in the mornings, most are off in the afternoons, what side of town do you live in?

[ccoston]

City In The Hills, on the East side of town at 178 and 184. I work from home almost all the time. This week I'm wrapping up a large project for work, but next week I can probably squeeze in a couple hours of time to do some diagnostics and minor tweaks. Mornings are better for me because the kids are in school and I don't have to worry about what they are doing while I am working on the Jeep.

Where and what time for the Meet & Greet?

[TheBigDogg]

[quote="ccoston"]City In The Hills, on the East side of town at 178 and 184. I work from home almost all the time. This week I'm wrapping up a large project for work, but next week I can probably squeeze in a couple hours of time to do some diagnostics and minor tweaks. Mornings are better for me because the kids are in school and I don't have to worry about what they are doing while I am working on the Jeep.

Where and what time for the Meet & Greet?[/quote]
Meet & Greets are usally at Chuy's on Rosedale at 7:00 pm, there are usally people there earlier, PM me your number and I could text you when I am available

[VICTORG93307]

Hey I own the white jeep you saw. We have a walk thru on our house we just purchased at city in the hills tomorrow actually and will be getting the keys on Friday so you'll see my jeep around a lot more often. Lol

We are all here to help I'm sure after we move in we can get some brew and work on our rigs.

[Mickey]

[quote="TheBigDogg"]we have a Meet & Greet on the second tuesday of each month, thats about it. What is your schedule like? when are you wanting to check out your steering? I am off in the mornings, most are off in the afternoons, what side of town do you live in?[/quote]

2nd Tuesday???? Don't you mean Thursday? Lol and the rest of u didn't catch it..? Lol

[TheBigDogg]

[quote="Mickey"][quote="TheBigDogg"]we have a Meet & Greet on the second tuesday of each month, thats about it. What is your schedule like? when are you wanting to check out your steering? I am off in the mornings, most are off in the afternoons, what side of town do you live in?[/quote]

2nd Tuesday???? Don't you mean Thursday? Lol and the rest of u didn't catch it..? Lol[/quote]
hahaha, you passed the test Henry.......

[ccoston]

OK, I'm all set to come to the meeting tonight. It is tonight, right? I am looking forward to it. I took my ZJ to TGIF today, and I'm a bit bummed right now. It went in to fix a rear main leak, something the company that remanufactured the engine is going to cover under warranty because it was their screw up. That is fine, getting fixed, but I had them look at my suspension/steering/etc while it was up, and I was told:

1. The rear axle needs to have the bearings redone, and may also need axle shafts replaced.
2. The front axle is done... needs to be replaced. Issues inside the diff, and leaking out the tubes that connect to the differential (yeah, I'm a newbie and don't know the correct terminology!).
3. The mechanic that did my engine swap used the wrong bolts to connect my headers to the engine, and so there is an exhaust leak and the gaskets are blown.
4. Need new steering gear box.

I need lots of help. I told them to just finish up the rear main after they quoted me for the fixes. I'm going to put this thing in the garage for now and buy a cheap daily driver (honda or something else that gets better than the ZJ's 12mpg). That way I can find the axles I want and do some learning instead of paying a LOT to have someone else do the work. I need to learn this stuff.

Craig

[Mickey]

well if you ever need a helping hand, dont be afriad to ask...

[ccoston]

Thanks Mickey!

I went to the meeting last night. Talked with a few guys that were very helpful, and I am looking forward to doing more with you all. First and foremost now, I think I need to track down some axles (at least a front D30).

Craig

[ccoston]

I need some help. I am a newbie, I suck, and I really am lost at this point. I like to work on my Jeep, but it's new to me and I might not use the proper terminology for things, so please bear with me. I really could use some help, as I think my front end is in bad shape and my rear as well. Is anyone available this weekend just to help look at this thing and help me at least get a general idea of what is going on? I was going to take it to Richard at G&G this week, but I've been swamped with work during the weekdays and don't really have the means to leave it there all day given that my wife needs her car to drive to clients' offices.

Tired of throwing money at this thing. Need... help... please .